Buckle



Aug, 13, 1940. R W WHWE Y 2,211,187

BUCKLE Filed Aug. 5, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 P. W. WHITE Aug. 13, 1940.

BUCKLE Filed Aug. 5, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Aug. 13, 1940 BUCKLEPaul W. White, Waterbury, Conn., assigner to Parva Products Company,Chicago, lll., a corporation of Delaware Application August 5, 1938,Serial No. 223,159

l Claim.

This invention relates to a buckle and has special reference to a slidebuckle adapted to be mounted on a strap, band, or the like, for securingarticles together or for the support of garments or other objects.

More particularly, this invention relates to a slide buckle forassociation with a strap comprising a pair of slidably engaged framesdisposed in a face-to-face substantially parallel relation each havingside bars and cross bars connecting the side bars for dening openingstherethrough for receiving a strap, there being means for directingrelative longitudinal movements of the frame with one cross bar of oneof the frames co-operating with one of the cross bars of the other ofthe frames to clamp the strap threadable therebetween in adjustedpositions upon relative longitudinal movement of the frames in onedirection and a ringer piece on one of the frames manually movable tocause relativev longitudinal movements between the frames in theopposite direction to release the strap.

The device of the present invention may be adapted for use in variousconnections and, as a matter of fact, the construction may be employedwith slight variations not departing from the spirit of this inventionuniversally Where detachable connections are described.r Hereafter, andin the drawings, the device will be described and shown in itsassociation with a strap for skates, books, and the like, although it isreadily understood that the buckle may be employed with a strap forattachment to lingerie, for encircling the leg as a hose supporter, foruse as a suspender, or for detachable engagement with garments ofvarious characters. It is, of course, to be understood that variousother uses may be mentioned and that this invention is not to be limitedto any single specific use.

'Ihe buckle contemplated herein is adapted for use with a strap ofleather, fabric, elastic, or any ilexible material, and the strap mayvary materially in thickness. The clamping action is preferably obtainedautomatically by the tension applied to the strap and retained in itsuse in securing skates on shoes, various articles together in a bundle,or as a suspender, garter, or the like, and an adjustment of the buckleto loosen the strap may be made with little effort by moving manually anger piece on o-ne of the frames.

As above stated, when tension is applied to the strap as in drawing upthe strap to t the strap tightly around the shoe, in securing skatesthereto, a relative longitudinal movement of the frame 'is obtained andthis movement directs co-operating cross bars of the co-operating framesinto engagement with each other to clamp the strap in positiontherebetween. This clamping engagement is held until a relativevlongitudinal movement between the frames in opposite directions iscaused preferably by manual manipulation, one of the frames having anger piece readily accessible for engagement.

In one form of the invention a iinger piece is accessible through thestrap opening of one of the frames, the iinger piece being preferablyformed integral with one cross bar of the other of the fra-mes and inthe other form the nger piece is formed as a rolled free edge of onecross bar of one of the frames readily accessible for engagement to tiltthe frames with respect to the normal plane of the strap to causerelative longitudinal movement between the frames in an oppositedirection to release the strap,

O-ne of the objects of this invention is to provide a buckle havingrelatively slidable frame members of the type hereinabove described inwhich the 'strap threaded therethrough is automatically adjusted to aclamped position by a tension applied to the strap and is released froma clamped position by manual manipulation of a finger piece formed onone of the frames.

Another object of this invention is to provide a buckle havingrelatively slidable frame membersas hereinabove pointed out in which anger piece secured to and extending from one of the frame members isaccessible for movement to release the strap from a clamped positionthrough the strap opening of the other oi the frames.

A further object of this invention is to provide a buckle havingrelatively s'lida'ble frame members of the type before described inwhich the strap is released from a clamped position by means of tiltinga nger piece with respect to the normal plane of the strap to causerelative longitudinal movement between the frames.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a buckle havingrelatively slidable frame members of the character indicated above inwhich the construction is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, isdurable, and is simple in construction, in threading, and inmanipulation.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be hereinafter moreparticularly pointed out and for a more complete understanding of thecharacteristic features of this invention reference may novr be had tothe following description when taken together with the accompanyingdrawings, in which latter:

Figure 1 is a front view of the buckle incorporating the features ofthis invention as shown in its relation with a strap;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged central sectional view of the buckle taken on theline Z-2 of Fig. 1 and showing the strap in elevation;

Fig. 3 is a rear view of Fig. 1 showing a portion of the buckle insection;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing a changed position of therelatively slidable frame members;

Fig. 5 is a View similar to Fig. 2 of a modified form of buckleconstruction embodying the features of this invention;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing a changed position of therelatively movable frame members;

Fig. 7 is a front view of a modified form of buckle constructionincorporating the features of this invention, the buckle being shown inits relation with a strap;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 8 8 of Fig. 7,showing the strap in a clamped position in the buckle;

Fig. 9 is a View similar to Fig. 8 showing the strap in a releasedcondition;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. '7 of another modified form of buckleconstruction shown in its relation to a strap;

Fig. l1 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line II-II of Fig. 10showing the strap in a clamped position between the frames of thebuckle; and

Fig. 12 is a View similar to Fig. 11 showing the strap in a releasedcondition.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Figs. l to 4,inclusive thereof, the construction therein shown as embodying thefeatures of this invention comprises a pair of frame members I and II,the frame member I0 being substantially rectangular in shape and havingspaced side bars I 2 and I3 connected by spaced cross bars I4 and I5 todefine a strap opening. The frame Il is substantially rectangular inshape and has spaced side bars I3- and Il connected by spaced cross barsI8 and IS forming a strap opening.

The frame III is provided with opposed flanges 20 and 2l with ledges 22and 23 extending respectively therefrom inwardly in a direction towardeach other. The opposed flanges and ledges constitute opposed channelson the frame Il for receiving the side bars I8 and I'I of the frame IIfor directing relative longitudinal movements of the frames.

The cross bar I4 of the frame I0 is preferably inclined to provide aninclined strap-engaging face 24 extending between a rolled free edge 25and an inturned ledge 23, the inturned ledge 2B defining the limit ofmovement of the frame II in one direction and the rolled free edge 25presenting a fulcrum about which the strap may be pulled in applyingtension thereto.

The frame I I is provided with an offset portion 2I which is preferablycut and deformed from the material thereof to provide the strap openingtherein. The offset portion 21 co-operates with the inclined surface 24to clamp a strap 28 in adjusted positions therebetween. A nger piece 29is preferably formed integrally with the frame II and extends angularlyrelative to the normal plane of the frame in the direction of theopening of the frame IU so that the nger piece is accessible throughthat opening.

The frame I0 is provided with a looped end portion for receiving thefree end of a strap threaded through the openings of the co-operatingframes ID and II, there being a raised cross bar Ia spaced from the endof the frame I0 connecting extensions of the side bars I2 and I3.

One end of the strap 28 is looped permanently about the cross bar I ofthe frame Ill and the other free end of the strap 28 or a second strapis threaded through the opening of the frame I0 and between the offsetportion 27 and the inclined strap-engaging face 24 of the frame I0.Tension is applied to the free end of the strap 28 over the rolled edge25 to clamp the strap under tension in a desired adjusted position. Whenit is desired to release the tension on the strap, the strap is liftedto the position in Fig. 4 and the nger piece 29 is engaged by the thumbor finger and moved in an opposite direction to that of the tensioningmovement. The strap is thus released by manual manipulation.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings, thebuckle shown therein comprises a pair of frame members 30 and 3l, theframe 33 being substantially rectangular in shape and having spaced sidebars 32 connected by spaced cross bars 33 and 34 to form a strapopening. The frame 3l is likewise substantially rectangular in shape andcomprises a pair of spaced side bars 35 connected by spaced cross bars36 and 31.

The frame 3U is provided with opposed anges .'ia with ledges 30hextending therefrom inwardly in a direction toward each other. Theopposed anges and ledges constitute opposed channels on the frame 30 forreceiving the side bars 35 of the frame 3l for directing relativelongitudinal movements of the frames.

The cross bar 33 of the frame 30 is provided with rolled edges 38 and 39with the under surface therebetween being inclined to form an inclinedstrap-engaging face 40. The frame 3I is provided with an offset portion4I preferably cut and deformed from the material thereof to form thestrap opening of the frame 3|.

A pair of ears 42 are bent downwardly and thereafter in a directioninwardly toward each other from the opposed ledges 30h to form a splitcross bar extending laterally of the frame 3U. A metal attachment 43 islooped about the cross bar 42, the opposed sides of the attachmentextending beyond the cross bar to receive in a clamped relationtherebetween the end of a strap 44. In the particular attachment shown,prongs 45 are cut and deformedl from the material of one of the sides ofthe metal attachment to penetrate the material of the strap and extendthrough perforations in the other side of the metal attachment to bebent thereover for securing thc end of the strap 44 against displacementtherefrom.

The free end 44a of the strap is passed through the opening of the frame3l and between the offset portion 4I thereof and the inclinedstrapengaging face 4U of the frame 30. Tension is applied to the freeend of the strap in pulling the strap about the rolled edge 39 to obtainrelative longitudinal movement of the frames in one direction to clampthe strap in a xed position. The free end is thereafter passed under thecross bar 34 and the buckle is in a clamped position relative to thestrap with the free end being held against creeping.

In order to release the strap from its clamped position, the free end ofthe strap is removed from beneath the cross bar 34 and the rolled edge33 is engaged by the nger, as shown in Fig. 6,

c denne a strap opening.

to tilt the frame out of the normal plane of the strap about an axisprovided by the cross bar 42 to cause relative longitudinal movementbetween the frames in a direction opposite to the clamping movement.

Referring now more particularly to Figs'. '7, 8, and 9 of the drawings,the construction therein shown as embodying the features of thisinvention comprises a pair of frame members 46 and lll', the framemember 46 being substantially rectangular in shape having spaced sidebars 48 and i9 connected by spaced crossl bars 50 and 5I to The frame 41is substantially rectangular in shape and has spaced side bars 52connected by spaced cross bars 53 and 54 to form a strap opening.

The frame 46 is provided with opposed iianges 55 having ledges 56extend-ing therefrom inwardly in a direction towardeach other. Theopposed flanges and ledges constitute opposed channels on the frame 46for directing relative longitudinal movements of the frames.

The cross bar 50 of the frame 45 is preferably inclined to provide aninclined strap-engaging face 51 extending from a rolled free edge 58.The opposite edge of the strap-engaging face is cut away to form a slot59 through which an extension 50 of the cross bar 53 of the frame 4lpasses. The end of the extension 60 is upturned to provide a nger piece[il for manually operating the frame 4l to release the strap from aclamped position.

A metal attachment 62 has a looped portion extending about the cross barthe opposed sides being spaced to receive therebetween one end of astrap 63. Ears 64 are cut and deformed from the material of one side ofthe metal attachment to penetrate the material of the strap and passthrough apertures in the opposed side of the metal attachment to be bentthereover for preventing displacement of the strap 63 therefrom.

The free end of the strap is threaded through the opening in the frame41 and between an onset portion 55 thereof and the inclinedstrapengaging face 5'! of the frame 46. Tension is applied to the freeend of the strap 63 over the rolled edge 58 to clamp the strap undertension in a desired adjusted position. The loose end 63a of the strapis thereafter inserted underneath opposed ears 66 formed from thematerial of the metal attachment and directed inwardly in a directiontoward each other in a spaced relation from the metal attachment.

When it is desired to release the tension on the strap the nger piece 6lis engaged by the thumb or finger and moved in a direction opposite tothat of the tensioning movement. The strap is thus released by manualmanipulation for further adjustment or removal.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 10, 11, and 12 of the drawings,the buckle therein shown comprises a pair of frame members 6'! and 68,the frame 6l comprising a pair of looped portions 69 and 1l] connectedby side bars 'Il and 12. The side bars 'H and 12 areconnected by a crossbar '13 which is depressed below the normal plane of the frame. Ledges14 are formed on the side bars H and 'l2 and extend inwardly in adirection toward each other in a spaced relation from the side bars 1|and 12 to form opposed channels. The looped portion is raised above thenormal plane of the frame and provides an opening for receiving theloose end of a strap 15. The looped portion 69 is provided with aninclined strap-engaging portion 16 on the under side of the materialbounding the loop opening.

The frame 68 has a substantially flat end portion 'Il for engaging theopposed channels formed by the ledges 'f4 and side bars 1l and 'i2 todirect relative longitudinal movements of the frames. The opposite end'I8 of the frame 68 is inclined in the direction of the inclined face 16of the frame 61, and, when in a clamped position, the end extends beyondthe end of the cross bar 69. An opening 79 is formed intermediate theinclined portion I8 and the substantially flat portion 11, and thematerial of the opening 'I9 is deformed to provide a strapengaging ledge80.

A metal attachment 8l is provided with a looped portion intermediate itsends, the ends being extended in a face-to-face position to receivetherebetween the fixed end a of the strap T5. The end 15a o-f the strapis fixedly secured to the metal attachment by means. of a rivet 82extending through the strap and through an aperture in the opposed endsof the metal attachment.

The free end of the strap 'l5 is passed through the opening 'i9 andthereafter between the strapengaging face 16 and the strap-engagingledge 80 of the respective frames 61 and 68. Tension is applied to thefree end of the strap to clamp the strap under tension in a desiredadjusted position as shown in Fig. ll. The free end of the strap isthereafter inserted through the loop of the frame underneath the bar 10for use. When it is desired to release the tension on the strap, theextending portion of the cross bar 18 of the frame 68 is engaged by thethumb or nger andA is moved in an opposite direction to that of thetensioning movement.

While several embodiments of this invention are herein shown anddescribed, it is to be understood that various modifications thereof maybe apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from thespirit and scope of this invention and, therefore, the same is only tobe limited by the scope of the prior art and the appended claim.

I claim:

A slide buckle comprising a pair of slidably engaged frames disposed ina face-to-face substantially parallel relation, said frames having sidebars and cross bars connecting said side bars for defining openingstherethrough to receive a strap, means for directing relativelongitudinal movements of said frames, and one cross bar of One of saidframes being of substantallyiJ-shaped cross section presenting spacedangularly extending legs and one cross bar of the other of said frameshaving an inclined surface co-operating with one of said legs to clampthe strap threaded therebetween in adjusted positions upon relativelongitudinal movement of said frames in one direction, the other of saidlegs forming a nger piece accessible through said opening of the otherof said frames for manual movement to cause relative longitudinalmovement between said frames in the opposite direction to release thestrap.

PAUL W. WHITE.

